Antiskid bblt



Nav. 23 ,1926. 1,608,280

' A H.HARFQRD ANTISKID BELT Filed Dec. 9. 1925 BY/VEMM Patented Nov. 23,1926.

i- UNITED STVitS HARRY HARFORD, 0F LE'WISTOI, IDAH,

ASSIGNR T I-IARFORD DIAMOND CHAIN COMPANY., OF LEFETISTON, IQAHO.

ANTISKID BELT.

Application led December My present invention relates to improvements inantiskid belts for pneumatic and solid tires for automotive vehicles,said belt being Iof the non-metallic, flexible type. The primary objectof the invention is to simplify the construction; reduce the cost ofmanufacture and the cost of maintenance; and provide a device of thischaracter that may with facility be applied to a tire and with equalfacility be removed therefrom.

The. invention consists essentially in the utilization of a series ofcircumi'ferentiallyl arranged diamond shaped tread members ofnon-metallic material, such as leather, rubberized fabric or othersuitable material, having flexible connections between them and flexiblyconnected to side chains, in such manner that a worn tread member maywith facility be removed and a new one placed in position for use, thusprolonging the life of the antiskid belt and maintaining it at all timesin condition to perform its functions in the most eiiicient manner.Means are provided whereby the ends of the side chains and the ends ofthe tread belt may be conveniently joined when applying the belt for useand the belt may readily be opened prior to removal from a tire when notquired for use.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention wherein the part-s are combinedand arranged in accordance with the best mede I have thus far devisedfor the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure l is a conventionalized plan view of a portion of the antiskidbelt at its jointed or joined ends.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation shown ing` the relation of the beltto a tire.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the flexibleconnection between a pair of complementary diamond shaped tread membersof the belt.

In order that the general relation of part-s may be understood I haveindicated a tire `by the letter T in Figure 2, and it will be understoodthat the two side chains 1 and 2 of the antiskid belt encircles the tirein usual manner at the sides thereof.

Between the two side chains and extending circumferentially of the treadportion of the tire, which may be either flat as used for s, i925.sel-iai no. meer).

trucks or round as used on balloon or regular pneumatic tires, islocatedthe antiskid belt comprising a'succession of diamond shaped treadmembers 3 with their longer axes eX- tending circumferentially of thetire. These members or tread links are fashioned in suitable manner fromflexible, non-metallic material such as leather, rubberized fabric,laminated rubber fabric, or corded rubber composition and are ofcomplementary form and size in order that they may readily beinterchanged for replacement or renewal to compensate for wear. At theirrespective ends the tread links are provided with complementary eyes eand hooks 5 for co-action in connecting adjoining tread links of thetraction or anti-skid belt. The eyes and hooks may be fashioned bysuitable machinery or tools in the form of open links each having ananchoring1 loop as 6 o-r 7 and preferably of metal.V The loops areanchored or embedded in the material at the ends of the tread links andproject outwardly therefrom as best seen in Figure 3 and form flexibleconnect-ions between the tread links. When a tread link is excessivelyworn it may be removed by first opening the hooks 5 from the eyes, afterwhich the worn link may be removed and replaced with a new one ofsimilar size and shape by fitting the hooks around the eyes.

At their lateral corners the tread links are provided with eyes 8similar to the eyes 4, but these eyes 8 it will be observed projecttransversely of the circumferential axis of the tire and are adapted forco-action with complementary hooks 9 which are flexibly at tached to theside chains 1 and 2.

The antiskid belt is in the form of an openable annular device and atthe ends of the belt a pair of J-shaped tread membersy 3, 3 are used,said .members also forming a diamond shaped link similar to the integrallinks 3. One of the tread members 3 may be equipped with the eyes 8 forthe hooks 9, while the other tread member 3 has an eye 8 projecting fromeach end for anchoring a fastening chain as 10, one of which chains isused at each side of the tire.

The fastening chain is passed through an enlarged end or eye 11 of eachof the side chains and secured by a hook as 12 which is pivoted at 13 ina double link 14. The double link is of rigid formation and the hook ispivoted between its side plates at 13. rlhe fastening hook l2 isprovided with an integral lever arm l5, which when the belt is joinedtogether is secured by a locking link 16 on the side chain. 'lhus inFigure Q Where one of the listening` hooks is shorvn in looked positionit Will be apparent that by slipping the leek-link 16 flo the right torelease the end of the lever arm l5, the arm may then be swung clockwiseto the lett to swing the hook portion l2 to 'the right Whereupon thefastening chain l0 may be released thereirom. ln locking the adjoiningends ol: the chains l and 2 andthe `adjoining ends of the tread belt,this proces is reversed. After the chain l0 is slipped through the eyell at one end of the side chain, the free end ol' the chain is engagedwith the hook l2. For this engagement it will be understood thatI thelever handle is at the left of its pivot 13 and its hook l2 is at theright or the pivot in Figure 2. rlhen by swinging the lever handle Vtoposition of Figure 2 sul'l'ieient leverage is provided to draw the endsoi" the side chains and the ends of the tread belt into juxtaposition,whereupon the locking messes link 16 on the side Chain is used to lockthe lever.

rllhe antisliid belt thus fashioned presents a smooth and Continuoustraction or 'friction surface to the roadway orthe purpose or grippingthe roadway and also to prevent lateral slipping er slridding ol theWheels.

`While l have illustrated one esemplification of the principles of myinvention it will be understood that various changes and alterations maybe mad-e therein Within the scope of my appended claim7 Withoutdeiarting from the principles el" my invention.

Having thus Jfully described my invention, what l claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is in antislid belt comprising'aseries of tread links and flexible 'joints therebetween, eaeh link beingel integral 'formation and Composed of flexible non-metallic material,

pair or side chains, flexible connections between the tread links andside chains, and means Llor securing together the l'ree ends or' theside Chains and ot the tread members.

ln testimony whereof l eth1; my signature.

HARRY HARFORD.

